Enrichment Apparatus and Enrichment Applications

ABSTRACT

The present invention features a method and apparatus for enriching the environment of an animal. The apparatus presents a stimulus to an animal, and the animal may input the correct response to the stimulus into an interface. Upon a correct response the apparatus delivers a treat, indication, or combination thereof to the animal. The apparatus may increase the complexity of the stimulus with each correct response. The apparatus may also be connected to social media to track and compare the results of the animal&#39;s actions with other animals.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/930,619 filed on Jan. 23, 2014,the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to an enrichment apparatus and enrichmentapplications. In particular, the enrichment apparatus provides controlof software stimulus and of a peripheral device to deliver treats toanimals.

BACKGROUND

The USDA requires that regulated non-human animals (esp. primates) beprovided with environmental enrichment (i.e., interactive devices otherthan the basic caging provided). Environmental enrichment allows thesubjects to participate in a range of behaviors including but notlimited to foraging, climbing, and cognitively-engaging tasks. Inaddition to laws instituted by the USDA, a range of companion and zooanimals benefit from a range of behaviors including cognitiveengagement.

Current methods to provide enrichment, particularly for primates, relyupon simple food-foraging, non-mechanical devices, such as Kong® toysfilled with treats, and small shelves of indoor-outdoor ‘grass’ withlittle bits of food laced throughout. Primate Products, Inc. produces adevice, the Puzzle Feeder™, which provides challenging puzzle solvingtasks to obtain food held within the device. The setup of the task,cleaning, and recording activity of use are highly time consuming forthe human operators. Such a system does not allow for ease of use or thetracking of behavioral health of the animals. Currently in thelaboratory environment, computer stimulating or testing programs forcaged animals require multiple technicians to set-up the computersystems and corresponding peripheral devices. These systems are notsmall, self-contained units that are easily portable by a singleindividual or operator. These laboratory systems require the animals tobe secured into a user position or chair to maintain an interaction forextended period of time. As a result, these systems do not provide thenecessary enrichment.

Similar enrichment needs and low tech solutions exist for domestic pets.There are a multitude of companion animal toys meant to enrich the livesof pets. However, they are often easily destroyed by the pet, and areprone to loss of use due to boredom. Thus, there is a need for a devicethat directly provides, with ease of a single human operator, behavioralenrichment to a range of non-human animals. Additionally, there is aneed for a small, portable, self-contained device that can be usedrepeatedly by each animal and serially by multiple animals and that cantrack behavioral health or provide enrichment over an extended period oftime. Many companion animals may also benefit from varied and complexbehavioral tasks maintained by food reinforcement thereby increasing thebehavioral health of the animals.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating an example environment of an exampleenrichment apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating an example exterior of an enrichmentapparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustrating an example interior of an enrichmentapparatus.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustrating an example interior of an enrichmentapparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example set of operations thatcan be executed by an enrichment application.

FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating an example enrichment apparatus for apet, domestic animal, or farm animal.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an example of an enrichment apparatus 100. Theenrichment apparatus 100 is a small, self-contained, and portable devicewhich can be set-up for operation by a single individual. The enrichmentapparatus 100 is configured to provide environmental enrichment to ananimal 102. While depicted as a monkey in FIG. 1, an animal 102 may beany type of non-human animal, including but not limited to, a monkey, agorilla, a dog, a cat, a dolphin, a whale, a seal, a bird, or any othersuitable species. In an example environment, the enrichment apparatus100 presents the animal 102 with a stimulus, such as a puzzle or game.The enrichment apparatus 100 includes a computing device, such as atablet, that presents the stimulus to the animal 102. An operator (e.g.,a keeper of the animal 102) can provide one or more parameters to thecomputing device such that one or more aspects of the stimuli can bealtered.

When the animal 102 properly responds to the stimulus, the enrichmentapparatus 100 outputs a treat to the animal 102. A treat can be any typeof reward including, but not limited to, juice, fruit, processed food,solid or liquid food, and meat. In this way, the enrichment apparatus100 may provide a cognitively challenging task that is designed toimprove the behavioral health of the animal 102. The enrichmentapparatus 100 may also positively reinforce the animal 102 as the animal102 displays its cognitive skills. In some implementations, theenrichment apparatus 100 allows the animal 102 to interface with theenrichment apparatus 100 without being restrained into a user positionsuch as a chair or within a cage. This allows for greater enrichment andbehavioral engagement by the animal 102 over longer periods of time bothdaily and over long-term.

In some implementations, the enrichment apparatus 100 includes aninterface 110, a housing 112, a treat delivery mechanism 114, anindicator 116, and one or more fasteners 118. In some implementations,the enrichment apparatus 100 with the interface 110, a treat deliverymechanism 114, and an indicator 116, is self-contained within a smallhousing 112 unit.

In the illustrated example, the interface 110 is a touch screen of atablet (discussed further below). The interface 110 can present thestimulus (which can be visual, audible, olfactory or a combinationthereof) to the animal. The interface 110 can further receive input fromthe animal 102. While shown as a touch screen, the interface 110 canadditionally or alternatively include other input means, such as akeyboard, buttons, levers, a touchpad, or a combination thereof.

The housing 112 can be any suitable structure to house the internalcomponents of the enrichment apparatus 100 (discussed with respect toFIGS. 3 and 4). The housing 112 can have a first aperture 113 thatallows the animal 102 to access the interface 110. The housing 112 mayalso define a second aperture 115 through which the treat deliverymechanism 114 protrudes. In some implementations, the housing 112 can beopened, such that the interior of the apparatus 100 is accessible to ahuman operator. In some implementations, the housing 112 is made oflight weight material for easy transport by a single operator. Inadditional implementations, the housing 112 is made of material that isstrong enough to withstand adverse conditions, damage, rough, orcareless handling by the operator or the animal 102. In otherimplementations, the self-contained housing 112 only provides the animal102 access or engagement with the interface 110 and treat deliverymechanism 114.

The treat delivery mechanism 114 outputs treats to the animal 102. Inthe illustrated example, the treat delivery mechanism 114 is a spoutthat extends through the second aperture 115. When the animal 102correctly responds to the stimulus, juice (or another liquid treat) isdisposed through the spout. In implementations having solid treats, thetreat delivery mechanism 114 can include a chute that deposits thetreats. The enrichment apparatus 100 may alternatively include any othersuitable treat delivery mechanism 114.

The fasteners 118 can be any suitable mechanisms for fastening theenrichment apparatus 100 to a structure. In the illustrated example, thefasteners 118 are hooks, whereby the hooks are rested upon bars of anenclosure (e.g., cage). The exact type of fastener depends on the typeof enclosure or environment of the animal 102.

The indicator 116 can be any mechanism that provides a indication to theanimal 102. For example, the indicator 116 can be a light, speaker orscent-emitting device. The indicator 116 can provide an indication when,for example, the animal 102 has successfully interacted with theenrichment apparatus 100 or when the animal 102 can use or engage theapparatus 100 again.

The exterior of the enrichment apparatus 100 may include additionalcomponents not shown or discussed. The enrichment apparatus 100 depictedin FIGS. 1 and 2 is configured for a zoo or laboratory environment. Thefasteners 118 allow the enrichment apparatus 100 to be hung outside anenclosure (e.g., a cage) of the animal 102, such that the animal 102 canaccess the interface 110 using its snout, fingers, beak, nose, and/ortoes.

In some implementations, the enrichment apparatus 100 is configured forhousehold pets, such as dogs, cats or birds. In this way, the enrichmentapparatus 100 can provide a platform for pet and owner interactions(either in person or remotely).

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrate an example interior of the enrichmentapparatus 100. The enrichment apparatus 100 can include a computingdevice 210, a treat release system 220, a power supply 240, and abattery 250.

In implementations, the treat release system 220 includes a reservoir222, a valve 224, a valve actuator 226, one or more sensors 228, a tube230, a vent 232, and a filter 234. The reservoir 222 can be a receptaclethat contains the treats. The reservoir 222 can include a removable cap223. A tube 230 extends through the cap 223 and couples to the valve224. The valve 224 couples to the treat delivery mechanism 114 (FIG. 1).The valve 224 is opened and shut by the valve actuator 226. In this way,the valve actuator 226 opens the valve 224 and treats are output throughthe tube 230, valve 224, and treat delivery mechanism 114 as a result ofthe gravitational forces acting upon the treats. In implementationswhere the treats are liquid, the valve 224, tube 230, or treat deliverymechanism 114 may have a vent 232 and filter 234 coupled thereto, suchthat an opposing airflow can aid the dispensing of the liquid treats202. The filter 234 prevents impurities from entering the treat deliverymechanism by way of the vent 232.

The valve actuator 226 is powered by the power supply 240 (which drawspower from the battery 250) and receives input from one or more sensors228 and/or the computing device 210 directly. The sensors 228 can belight sensors and/or sound sensors. In some implementations, thecomputing device 210 is configured to output either a light indicator218 or sound indicator when the animal 102 successfully responds to thestimulus. In response to a light indicator 218 or sound indicator, thesensors 228 output a signal to the valve actuator 226. The valveactuator 226 opens the valve 224 in response to the signal. In otherimplementations, the computing device 210 electronically couples to thevalve actuator 226. In these implementations, the computing device 210outputs a signal. The signal causes the valve actuator 226 to open thevalve 224.

In the illustrated example, the computing device 210 is a tabletcomputer, such as a NOOK®, IPAD®, or a GALAXY NOTE®. The computingdevice 210 may be any other suitable computing device (e.g., laptopcomputer, smartphone, or micro controller). The computing device 210 maybe affixed to the interior portion of the housing 212 by way of a mount214. The mount 214 can be a form-fitted plastic mold that is sizedaccording to the perimeter of the computing device 210. The mount 214may have supports (not shown), such as straps or flanges that hold thecomputing device 210 in place. The computing device 210 can be slideablyinserted onto/into the mount 214 such that the computing device 210 isheld firmly in place and able to withstand the force of an animal 102pressing thereon. In this way, an animal 102 that applies a force to theinterface 110 (e.g. pushes on the touchscreen) cannot unseat thecomputing device 210 from the mount 214.

The computing device 210 includes one or more processors that executemachine-readable instructions corresponding to an enrichmentapplication. In the illustrated example, the enrichment applicationpresents the stimulus by displaying a shape 216 on the interface 110.When the animal 102 correctly responds to the stimulus, the enrichmentapplication causes a treat or treats to be dispensed from the treatreservoir 222. In some implementations, the enrichment applicationdisplays light indicators 218 when the animal 102 correctly responds tothe stimulus (e.g., presses on the shape 216). The location on theinterface 110 where the light indicators 218 are displayed correspondsto the location of the sensors 228, such that light indicators 218trigger the sensors 228. Additionally or alternatively, the enrichmentapplication can command the computing device 210 to output a soundindicator (e.g. a sound at a particular frequency) to trigger a soundsensor 228. Alternatively, the computing device 210 may beelectronically coupled to the valve actuator 226, such that when theanimal 102 responds to the stimulus, the computing device 210 directlyoutputs the signal to the valve actuator 226.

The computing device 210 may be loaded with several enrichmentapplications that offer different stimuli and/or tasks to the animal102. For example, a more complex enrichment application may beconfigured to display sample patterns that the animal 102 is to repeat.When the animal successfully repeats the pattern, the enrichmentapplication can initiate delivery of a treat to the animal 102 (e.g.,emitting a light indicator 218 or a signal to the valve actuator 226).In some implementations, the enrichment application can include multiplestimuli (i.e., games or puzzles) that can increase in difficulty orcomplexity as the animal 102 solves the less complex stimuli.

In some implementations, the enrichment applications areuser-configurable. For example, a user (e.g., a keeper of the animal102) can provide parameters relating a duration of an enrichmentsession, a duration of a stimulus (i.e., how much time an animal isallotted to respond to a particular stimulus), a treat dispensingduration (i.e., how long to display a light indicator 218 or to providea signal to the valve actuator 226), how often the animal 102 can repeatthe enrichment exercise, and/or the difficulty of the enrichmentapplication.

In some implementations, the enrichment application can collectempirical data that tracks the input/progress of the animal 102. Forexample, if the animal 102 routinely fails at the task provided by theenrichment application, the application can track such failures. Whenthe animal 102 begins to improve, the application can also track theprogress that the animal 102 has made. In this way the enrichmentapplication can provide enrichment to the animal 102 and collect dataregarding the intellectual capabilities of the animal 102. In someimplementations, the enrichment application is configured to access alocal WiFi network or other external network system. This WiFi networkallows for the transfer of electronic data from the devices to a datamanagement system. In other implementations, the enrichment apparatus100 can be configured to connect to a WiFi network, Bluetooth network orother wireless network system to allow for configuration or exchange ofdata generated by the enrichment apparatus 100 to a central server,computing device, or operator device (e.g. smart phone). The exchangeprovides an operator a convenient means to manage and coordinatemultiple enrichment apparatus 100 either simultaneously, collectively,or individually.

In some implementations, the enrichment application can be configured toallow interactions between humans and the animal 102. For example, azoo-keeper or zoo-goer can download a compatible application to asmartphone or tablet or may use a provided computing device (e.g.,tablet) to provide a stimulus to the animal 102 by way of the computingdevice 210. The animal 102 can respond to the stimulus. If successful,the enrichment apparatus 100 rewards the animal 102 with a treat. Inthis way, humans and animals can interact without endangering either theanimals or the humans. In some implementations, the enrichmentapplication can be executed on the computing device 210 and a computingdevice accessible to the human (e.g., smartphone or tablet). In suchimplementations, the human and the animal 102 can play the same game orpuzzle in direct comparison.

In some implementations, the enrichment application is configured toaccess a social media website. In these implementations, the progress ofan animal 102 (e.g., a pet dog or cat) can be tracked by the owner ofthe animal 102 or other interested parties. Such implementations canallow pet owners to have their animals compete with one another.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method that can be executed by the enrichmentapplication. At operation 510, the enrichment application provides astimulus via the interface. As previously indicated the stimulus can bea visual stimulus and/or an audio stimulus. The stimulus may be a puzzleand/or a game. The stimulus can also vary in complexity. For instance,the stimulus that the animal 102 must repeat, and the length orcomplexity of the pattern can be increased to increase the stimulationof the animal 102.

At operation 512, the enrichment application receives input from theanimal 102 via the interface 110. The input can be touch-based inputand/or audio input. In some implementations, the enrichment applicationdocuments the input. For example, the enrichment application can storedata indicating the stimulus that was presented and the response to thestimulus.

At operation 514, the enrichment application analyzes the input todetermine if the input is correct. If the input is incorrect, theenrichment application determines whether the enrichment session iscomplete, as shown at operation 520. The duration of the enrichmentsession can be temporal (e.g., five minutes) or based on the number ofiterations performed by the enrichment application (e.g., no more thanfive correct answers). If the session is complete, the enrichmentapplication can stop executing. Otherwise, the enrichment applicationcan present another stimulus.

If the animal 102 provides the correct input in response to thestimulus, the enrichment application can cause dispensing of the treat,as shown at operation 516. In some implementations, the enrichmentapplication presents one or more light indicators 218 on the interface110 that triggers the one or more sensors 228. The light indicators 218can be arranged in a predetermined pattern, such that the lightindicators 218 align with the light sensors 228. The duration of thetreat dispensing can be set automatically or by a user. In someimplementations, the light indicators 218 are kept on for the durationof the treat dispensing (e.g., five seconds). During the time which thelight indicators 218 are displayed on the interface 110, the one or moresensors 228 output a signal to the valve actuator 226, which opens thevalve 224. While the valve 224 is open, the treat delivery system 220dispenses treats to the animal 102.

At operation 518, the enrichment application can adjust the complexityof the stimulus. The foregoing operation can be implemented to ensurethat the animal 102 is being challenged and that the stimulus is not tooeasy to solve. The enrichment application can continue to operate inthis manner until the session is complete.

The operations presented in FIG. 5 are for example only and not intendedto limit the operation of the enrichment application. It is noted thatsome of the operations are optional and not mandatory. For instance, theenrichment application does not need to increase in complexity each timethe stimulus is correctly responded to.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative configuration of the enrichmentapparatus 100 for a pet, domestic animal or farm animal. The enrichmentapparatus includes a computing device 610, a support structure 612, aconnection 614, and a treat delivery system 616. The treat deliverysystem 616 includes a fill door 618, an indicator 620, a camera 622, adispenser 624, and a tray 626.

The computing device 610 is situated on the support structure 612. Thesupport structure 612 may include a means for securing the computingdevice 610, such as adhesive, straps, or flanges. The angle of thesupport structure 612 may also be raised or lowered to provideappropriate access to a particular user. The computing device 610includes an interface 602. The computing device 610 is in communicationwith the treat delivery system 616 by way of the connection 614. Thetreat delivery system 616 includes the fill door 618, the indicator 620,the camera 622, the dispenser 624 and the tray 626.

In operation, the computer device 610 presents a stimulus to the pet,domestic animal or farm animal. The support structure 612 remainsupright and secures the computing device 610 while the device is in use.The computing device 610 may be any suitable device, such as a tablet,smartphone or laptop computer. The computing device 610 may include atouch screen, keyboard or buttons. The computing device 610 presents astimulus to the pet, domestic animal or farm animal, and upon a correctresponse to the stimulus the computing device 610 sends a signal by wayof the connection 614 to the treat delivery system 616 to release atreat. The connection 614 may be a wired connection or a wirelessconnection.

The correct response to the stimulus also may cause the computing device610 to send a signal to activate the indicator 620 to provide someindication to the pet, domestic animal or farm animal. The indicator mayinclude a sound-, light-, or scent-producing device to emit apredetermined sound, light, or olfactory pattern upon a correct responseto the stimulus, an incorrect response to the stimulus, or anotherprogrammable event. The correct response to the stimulus may also causethe computing device 610 to send a signal to activate or deactivate thecamera 622. The camera 622 may be configured to take video orphotographs. The camera 622 may be activated upon the occurrence ofother events such as an incorrect response to the stimulus, theactivation of the enrichment apparatus 100 or any other programmableevent. The video or photographs may be sent to the computing device 610to display or store. Alternatively, the video or photographs may be sentto an interne address for current or subsequent viewing. Once the treatdelivery system 616 receives a signal to dispense a treat, a treat ortreats exits the dispenser 624 and falls into the tray 626 where it isaccessible to the pet, farm animal or domestic animal.

The treat delivery system 616 is accessed by a human controller throughthe fill door 618. The fill door 618 provides access to a treatreservoir for holding treats to be dispensed. The reservoir may holdliquid or solid treats. Treats may include pet food, water, juice, pettreats, or any other substance for ingestion. In some embodiments, thetreat delivery system 616 may include a valve and a valve actuator (notshown). The valve actuator opens and closes the valve in response to asignal to release a treat. The valve may be situated such that when itis open, a treat or treats are released through the dispenser 624.

A “support structure” may be any structure used to support or positionthe computing device and interface. The support structure facilitatesanimal access to the computing device and interface. In facilitatinganimal access to the device and interface, the support structure securesthe computing device and interface, and prevents movement while thecomputing device is in use. The support structure may be a housing,stand, casing, cover, table or any other structure that facilitatesanimal access to the computing device and interface.

Various implementations of the systems and techniques described here canbe realized in digital electronic and/or optical circuitry, integratedcircuitry, specially designed ASICs (application specific integratedcircuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinationsthereof. These various implementations can include implementation in oneor more computer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on aprogrammable system including at least one programmable processor, whichmay be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data andinstructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storagesystem, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

These computer programs (also known as programs, software, softwareapplications or code) include machine instructions for a programmableprocessor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural and/orobject-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machinelanguage. As used herein, the terms “machine-readable medium” and“computer-readable medium” refer to any computer program product,non-transitory computer readable medium, apparatus and/or device (e.g.,magnetic discs, optical disks, memory, Programmable Logic Devices(PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and/or data to aprogrammable processor, including a machine-readable medium thatreceives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term“machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to provide machineinstructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

Implementations of the subject matter and the functional operationsdescribed in this specification can be implemented in digital electroniccircuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including thestructures disclosed in this specification and their structuralequivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. Moreover,subject matter described in this specification can be implemented as oneor more computer program products, i.e., one or more modules of computerprogram instructions encoded on a computer readable medium for executionby, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus. Thecomputer readable medium can be a machine-readable storage device, amachine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, a composition ofmatter effecting a machine-readable propagated signal, or a combinationof one or more of them. The terms “data processing apparatus”,“computing device” and “computing processor” encompass all apparatus,devices, and machines for processing data, including by way of example aprogrammable processor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers.The apparatus can include, in addition to hardware, code that creates anexecution environment for the computer program in question, e.g., codethat constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a databasemanagement system, an operating system, or a combination of one or moreof them. A propagated signal is an artificially generated signal, e.g.,a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal, thatis generated to encode information for transmission to suitable receiverapparatus.

A computer program (also known as an application, program, software,software application, script, or code) can be written in any form ofprogramming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, andit can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or asa module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in acomputing environment. A computer program does not necessarilycorrespond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in aportion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or morescripts stored in a markup language document), in a single filededicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files(e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or portionsof code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on onecomputer or on multiple computers that are located at one site ordistributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communicationnetwork.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification can beperformed by one or more programmable processors executing one or morecomputer programs to perform functions by operating on input data andgenerating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performedby, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logiccircuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC(application specific integrated circuit).

Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, byway of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, andany one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, aprocessor will receive instructions and data from a read only memory ora random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer area processor for performing instructions and one or more memory devicesfor storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will alsoinclude, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer datato, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g.,magnetic, magneto optical disks, or optical disks. However, a computerneed not have such devices. Moreover, a computer can be embedded inanother device, e.g., a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant(PDA), a mobile audio player, a Global Positioning System (GPS)receiver, to name just a few. Computer readable media suitable forstoring computer program instructions and data include all forms ofnon-volatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way ofexample semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flashmemory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removabledisks; magneto optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. Theprocessor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in,special purpose logic circuitry.

To provide for interaction with a user, one or more aspects of thedisclosure can be implemented on a computer having a display device,e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube), LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, ortouch screen for displaying information to the user and optionally akeyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by whichthe user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices canbe used to provide interaction with a user as well; for example,feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g.,visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input fromthe user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, ortactile input. In addition, a computer can interact with a user bysending documents to and receiving documents from a device that is usedby the user; for example, by sending web pages to a web browser on auser's client device in response to requests received from the webbrowser.

One or more aspects of the disclosure can be implemented in a computingsystem that includes a backend component, e.g., as a data server, orthat includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, orthat includes a frontend component, e.g., a client computer having agraphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user caninteract with an implementation of the subject matter described in thisspecification, or any combination of one or more such backend,middleware, or frontend components. The components of the system can beinterconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication,e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networksinclude a local area network (“LAN”) and a wide area network (“WAN”), aninter-network (e.g., the Internet), peer-to-peer networks (e.g., ad hocpeer-to-peer networks), WiFi network, Bluetooth network and otherwireless network system.

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other. In someimplementations, a server transmits data (e.g., an HTML page) to aclient device (e.g., for purposes of displaying data to and receivinguser input from a user interacting with the client device). Datagenerated at the client device (e.g., a result of the user interaction)can be received from the client device at the server.

While this specification contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of the disclosure or of what maybe claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific toparticular implementations of the disclosure. Certain features that aredescribed in this specification in the context of separateimplementations can also be implemented in combination in a singleimplementation. Conversely, various features that are described in thecontext of a single implementation can also be implemented in multipleimplementations separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover,although features may be described above as acting in certaincombinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more featuresfrom a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from thecombination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. In certain circumstances, multi-tasking and parallel processingmay be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various systemcomponents in the embodiments described above should not be understoodas requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should beunderstood that the described program components and systems cangenerally be integrated together in a single software product orpackaged into multiple software products. 100561 A number ofimplementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understoodthat various modifications may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations arewithin the scope of the following claims. For example, the actionsrecited in the claims can be performed in a different order and stillachieve desirable results.

What is claimed:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a housing defining aninterface aperture; a treat delivery system including a treat reservoirand a treat delivery mechanism, the treat delivery system receiving asignal and dispensing treats in response to the signal; a computingdevice disposed within the housing, the computing device including aninterface, the interface being adjacently disposed to the interfaceaperture and facing out of the housing; wherein the computing deviceexecutes an enrichment application, the enrichment application beingconfigured to present a stimulus to an animal via the interface and toreceive input from the animal via the interface; and wherein the signalis provided to the treat delivery system in response to the animalcorrectly responding to the stimulus.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein: the treat delivery system further includes one or moreindicators that output an indication; and the one or more indicators areconfigured to output a predetermined pattern in response to the animalcorrectly responding to the stimulus.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the indication is a predetermined light pattern, sound pattern,or olfactory pattern. 4-5. (canceled)
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the treat delivery system further includes: a valve; and a valveactuator that opens and closes the valve, the valve actuator beingresponsive to the signal.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the valuedelivers a solid or liquid treat. 8-9. (canceled)
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the enrichment application receives configurationparameters and adjusts a complexity of the stimulus based on theconfiguration parameters.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theenrichment application is configured to store data corresponding toresponses by the animal to the presented stimulus.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the computing device is a tablet computer and theinterface is a touchscreen of the tablet computer.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the computing device is a laptop computer, asmartphone, or a microcontroller. 14-15. (canceled)
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the enrichment application is configured to increasethe complexity of a next stimulus each time the animal correctlyresponds to a previous stimulus.
 17. An apparatus comprising: a supportstructure; a treat delivery system including a treat reservoir and atreat delivery mechanism, the treat delivery system receiving a signaland dispensing treats in response to the signal; a computing device incontact with the support structure, the computing device including aninterface; wherein the computing device executes an enrichmentapplication, the enrichment application being configured to present astimulus to an animal via the interface and to receive input from theanimal via the interface; and wherein the signal is provided to thetreat delivery system in response to the animal correctly responding tothe stimulus.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein: the treat deliverysystem further includes one or more indicators that output anindication; and the one or more indicators are configured to output apredetermined pattern in response to the animal correctly responding tothe stimulus.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the indication is apredetermined light pattern, sound pattern, or olfactory pattern. 20-21.(canceled)
 22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the treat deliverysystem further includes: a valve; and a valve actuator that opens andcloses the valve, the valve actuator being responsive to the signal. 23.The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the valve delivers a solid or liquidtreat. 24-25. (canceled)
 26. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein theenrichment application receives configuration parameters and adjusts acomplexity of the stimulus based on the configuration parameters. 27.The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the enrichment application isconfigured to store data corresponding to responses by the animal to thepresented stimulus.
 28. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the computingdevice is a tablet computer and the interface is a touchscreen of thetablet computer.
 29. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the computingdevice is a laptop computer, a smartphone, or a microcontroller. 30-31.(canceled)
 32. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the enrichmentapplication is configured to increase the complexity of a next stimuluseach time the animal correctly responds to a previous stimulus.
 33. Amethod of enriching an environment of an animal, the method comprising:presenting a stimulus via an interface of a computing device; receivinginput via the interface; determining whether the input was a correctresponse to the stimulus; and when the input was the correct response,causing a treat delivery system to dispense treats for a predeterminedduration.
 34. The method of claim 33, further comprising: increasing acomplexity of a next stimulus when the input to the stimulus was thecorrect response; and presenting the next stimulus via the interface.35. The method of claim 33, wherein causing the treat delivery system todispense treats for a predetermined duration includes emitting apredetermined indication via an indicator for the predeterminedduration.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the treat delivery systemincludes one or more sensors outputting a signal in response to theindicator, the one or more sensors being electronically coupled to avalve actuator, the valve actuator being responsive to the signal. 37.The method of claim 36, wherein the sensor is a light sensor or a soundsensor.
 38. (canceled)
 39. The method of claim 36, further comprisingopening, by the valve actuator, a valve coupled to a treat reservoir inresponse to the signal.
 40. The method of claim 36, wherein the animalis not restrained into a user position within the enriching environment.